[Jewelry making - Article 00025] - [Orchid] Fragile gemstones

[Gerry]

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    All, Noel asked about a list of faceted stones that have been
    observed to be more prone to chipping than in the past.  This is my
    own list, from my own cutting experiences.  Top of the list is
    tourmaline.  I think that tourmaline are being subject to very high
    heat trying to lighten the color and make the stone less murky.  Next
    on my list is quartz.  I think quartz is being subjected to both heat
    and radiation treatment.  By this I mean amethyst, citrines, and Oro
    Verde.  Third would be zircon.  I have heard of experiments being
    conducted with radiation and heating to make golden zircon blue. 
    Forth would be topaz.  Both the golden topaz and blue topaz.  Fifth
    would be the beryl's, both golden and blue. I have not heard or
    encountered any problems with morganite. 

    Some of these stones are so prone to chipping that I have gone to
    8,000 diamond on polishing laps to fine grind.  A 1200 diamond lap
    would leave facet edges so brittle that they would break out during
    polish with 50,000 diamond. 

    What this means to jewelers is that if you run a polishing buff over
    the stone you will probably dull the stone and abrade the facet
    edges.  Any impact on the stone may yield a damaged stone. 

Gerry Galarneau
ggwcr AT cox.net
www.galarneausgems.com

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